#1547. THE LAMPSTAND SPEAKS OF GOD’S GLORIOUS PRESENCE (14/7/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Jul 14
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our series: I Will Dwell Among Them.
Today, we reflect on the truth:
The lampstand in the Tabernacle speaks God’s transformative presence - So let’s allow God’s light to shine on us so as to be changed.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
“Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it…See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”’ (Exodus 25:31-37, 40)
The lampstand within the Holy Place, symbolised the glory of God’s presence shining on His people. Of Moses, on returning from meeting with God’s presence, we are told:
‘…He was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.’ (Exoudus 34:29).
This is taken up and applied to Christians in 2 Corinthians:
‘Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
What I want to emphasise is that when we meet God - symbolised by the lampstand and its light - we are transformed, ever-increasingly, to the image of Christ by the Spirit.
Therefore, time with God in the Word, worship and prayer, is to be seen as letting God’s light shine on us and transform us - a supernatural transformation - sanctification - by the Spirit of God.
Response
The lampstand in the Tabernacle speaks God’s transformative presence - So let’s allow God’s light to shine on us so as to be changed.
Let’s remember that our time in the Word and worship personally and with the church can be profound moments of change as we come with faith and expectation. As the light of the lampstand illuminated the darkened space within the Tabernacle, so, the presence of Jesus, in our midst through faith, illumines and transforms those who come to Him!
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our I WILL DWELL AMONG YOU series, reflecting on God’s design for the Tabernacle and how this speaks to us of how we are to seek to build the church.
Please read Exodus 25:31-4 and discuss:
Personal Reflection - What particularly inspired or challenged you from Sunday’s message? How did God speak to you through it?
The Lampstand's Meaning - The various elements in the Tabernacle foreshadow heaven, and what we now enjoy in Christ (See Hebrews 8:5). What are the various things that the lampstand (the menorah) symbolise for us?
Jesus, the Light of the World - This great light, illuminated for the priests the way toward the Most Holy Place - the presence of God. How does this harmonise with what we read in John 8:12?
Keeping the Lamp Burning - The lamp was to be constantly supplied with the finest oil (See Exodus 27:20-21). How does this point to how we are to depend upon the Holy Spirit, and how do we make this a reality?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
From Exodus 25:31-34, we see that the lamp also represented the ministry of every church - she is to be a light. How can we become the light that God wills for us to be?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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